The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards are famously used on commercial building structures. However, the LEED green building standards can also be used on residential structures, such as single-family and multi-family homes – even whole neighborhoods!

Individuals wanting to advertise their LEED expertise and work on LEED building projects in a design, building, or operations capacity will participate in the traditional LEED credentialing process, which is as follows: Read more:Who Should Become a Green Rater »

The need for certified sustainability managers is growing exponentially. Companies are looking to maintain their competitive advantage by “greening” their products and organizational processes. They need a credible professional who is knowledgeable in the likes of reducing an organization’s carbon footprint and initiating positive change. Read more:5 Steps for Becoming a Sustainability Manager »

It seems like we never stop hearing the phrase. The environmental movement is largely billed as a successful way to create jobs and save the planet at the same time. However, since this sustainability shift is relatively new, the number or quality of green jobs created has been ambiguous. This leaves many wondering if the promise of green jobs is just a bunch of wind turbine generated hot air.

Where is the best place to be an energy auditor? Anywhere in the country is a great place to be an energy auditor, but the entire Northeast, upper mid-west, and the West Coast are the BEST places. Here are the factors that make those locations, in particular, so great:

1 - Extreme Climate. Comfort is actually the number one reason that homeowners call an energy auditor. In fact, most of what we teach about making a home more energy efficient is directly related to the heating and cooling of a home. Read more:The Best Places to be an Energy Auditor »

Nissan and Chevy have all electric vehicles (the Volt and Leaf) slated to begin sales later this year.Aside from many predictions of electric cars arriving decades ago, this seems like the real deal.So what do you think a world with electric cars would look like?

The Good

#1 - No gas stations.With electric cars, we'll have a gas (electric) station in every parking lot

As local, state, and federal governments mandate green building, “green collar” jobs are beginning to overtake the workforce. Although some industries are suffering in this current economy, green jobs are on the rise. I have copied a list from HubPages of the top 25 green collar jobs, along with their salaries.

We get asked all the time what career or business opportunities are involved once a person achieves LEED AP Certification. This is an interesting question. We could answer by posting the following chart that I came across this evening. It is the supposed pay scale of LEED APs: